Unit 10: Documentary

LESSONS

Lesson 1 - Factual Programming

Task 1 - Reality TV VS. Documentary?

 Reality TV are television programmes in which ordinary people are continuously filmed, designed to be entertaining rather than informative.

 A documentary is a film or television or radio programme that provides a factual report on a particular subject.

Task 2 - Examples of factual programming:

•  News Programmes
•  Documentaries
•  Certain Reality TV Programmes

RESEARCH FILE

Mood Board

Research on my Topic

My topic is on telling LGBT stories, so I decided to research famous historical/non-historical people:

Harvey Milk (1930 – 1978)

Harvey Milk was one of the USA’s first openly gay elected officials. He was a staunch activist, leading the gay political movement and fighting anti-gay initiatives. Milk was in office for almost 11 months and sponsored a bill (which was later passed) banning discrimination based on sexual orientation in housing, employment, and public accommodation. Milk was tragically assassinated by a city supervisor, Dan White, who had voted against Milk’s bill. Gay people and ethnic minorities were excused from being on the jury for White’s trial, so in the end, the jury members consisted of white, middle-class Catholics. White only served five years.

Marsha P. Johnson (1945 – 1992)

Marsha P. Johnson was a self-identified drag queen and a gay liberation activist. She played a prominent role in the Stonewall Riots and was one of the founding members of the Gay Liberation Front. She also co-founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), a place of refuge for homeless LGBT youth and sex workers. Marsha was also an HIV/AIDS activist and dedicated much of her time to those infected with the virus. In 1992, Marsha was found dead at the age of 46 in the Hudson River under mysterious circumstances. The police claimed it was a suicide, but family, friends, and allies all say this was highly unlikely, especially given the anti-gay attitude at the time.

Freddie Mercury (1946 – 1991)

Freddie was a singer-songwriter and the lead singer for the renowned band, Queen. It’s not 100% clear whether Mercury was bisexual, but he was in a romantic relationship with Jim Hutton up until his premature death from an AIDS-related illness.

Laverne Cox

Laverne was first widely discovered when she starred in 'Orange Is the New Black' on Netflix, But has been in the long before that. Cox became the first transgender person to receive a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for acting. Laverne is the first openly transgender person with a wax figure of herself at Madame Tussauds.

RuPaul

RuPaul is possibly the most famous drag queen, and his show 'RuPaul’s Drag Race' not only skyrocketed his career, but popularised drag into the way we know it today. RuPaul has been actively gay for decades, and he was the first openly gay television host back in 1996.

Andy Warhol (1928 – 1987)

Warhol was a pioneer in pop art, and he was a pretty controversial figure, too. He was openly gay at a time before the gay liberation movement, and much of his art was influenced by his sexuality. Some of his initial works were rejected for being ‘too gay’.

Pitch Presentation

Critical Analysis

Louis Theroux's 'The Most Hated Family in America'

Louis Theroux's documentary, 'The Most Hated Family in America,' delves into the enigmatic world of the Westboro Baptist Church, a controversial religious group known for their extreme views and provocative protests. The documentary, released in 2007, showcases Theroux's unique interviewing style as he navigates the complex dynamics of the Phelps family, the driving force behind the church.

Theroux's approach is both empathetic and probing, allowing viewers to witness the deeply ingrained beliefs of the Phelps family while questioning the moral and ethical implications of their actions. The documentary unfolds as Theroux spends an extended period with the family, exploring their dogmatic ideologies and the divisive tactics they employ to spread their message.

One notable strength of the documentary lies in Theroux's ability to maintain a non-judgmental stance, providing viewers with a platform to form their conclusions. His unassuming demeanour and persistent questioning unveil the internal contradictions within the Phelps family, fostering a sense of unease and cognitive dissonance among viewers.

The cinematography of the documentary is both captivating and unsettling, capturing the stark contrast between the Phelps' rigid beliefs and the outside world's more tolerant perspective. Shots of the family picketing military funerals with inflammatory signs underscore the extremity of their views, prompting viewers to reflect on the boundaries of free speech and the right to protest

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However, some critics argue that Theroux's approach may be too lenient, as he refrains from challenging the family on certain contentious issues. The documentary raises questions about journalistic responsibility, questioning whether Theroux should have taken a more confrontational stance to expose the moral implications of the Phelps family's actions.

Despite this, Theroux effectively humanizes the Phelps family, offering glimpses into their personal lives that go beyond their provocative public image. By presenting the family as multi-dimensional individuals, he encourages viewers to consider the factors that contribute to the development of such extreme beliefs. This nuanced portrayal adds depth to the documentary, fostering a more comprehensive understanding of the individuals behind the controversial headlines.

In conclusion, Louis Theroux's 'The Most Hated Family in America' serves as a thought-provoking exploration of extremism, free speech, and the complexities of belief systems. Theroux's ability to navigate the delicate balance between empathy and scrutiny results in a documentary that challenges viewers to confront their own perspectives while exposing the disturbing realities of the Westboro Baptist Church. The inclusion of personal anecdotes and moments of vulnerability humanizes the Phelps family, making the documentary a compelling study in the psychology of extremism

Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer

Netflix's documentary 'Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer' takes audiences on a chilling journey into the dark and twisted mind of one of America's most notorious serial killers, Richard Ramirez. Released in 2021, the four-part series directed by Tiller Russell explores the gripping investigation that unfolded in Los Angeles during the summer of 1985. While the documentary successfully captures the terror that gripped the city, it also raises questions about the ethics of true crime storytelling and the impact on victims' families.

The documentary effectively uses a combination of archival footage, interviews with law enforcement officials, survivors, and reporters, as well as dramatic re-enactments to create a gripping narrative. The filmmakers employ a tense and suspenseful tone, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats throughout. The use of atmospheric music and intense visuals contributes to the overall sense of fear and anxiety, successfully recreating the atmosphere of the time.

However, as captivating as the storytelling may be, the documentary does not shy away from the ethical complexities inherent in true crime narratives. The use of dramatic re-enactments, while common in the genre, blurs the line between fact and fiction. This raises concerns about the potential for sensationalism and the exploitation of real-life tragedies for entertainment purposes. It is crucial for the audience to critically engage with the content and recognize the fine line between empathizing with victims and commodifying their suffering for the sake of ratings.

The documentary combines a number of methods in order to tell its story:

1. Archival Footage: The documentary relies heavily on authentic footage from the 1980s, offering a glimpse into the actual events and the socio-cultural context of that time.

2. Survivor Interviews: Personal accounts from survivors contribute a human element to the narrative, adding emotional depth to the story and highlighting the resilience of those affected by Ramirez's crimes.

3. Law Enforcement Perspectives: Interviews with detectives and law enforcement officials provide insight into the challenges they faced during the investigation, shedding light on the dedication required to bring a serial killer to justice.

4. Dramatic Re-enactments: While visually engaging, the use of re-enactments raises ethical concerns about the potential distortion of facts and the impact on the victims' families.

The documentary also delves into the media frenzy that surrounded the Night Stalker case. Reporters played a significant role in shaping public perception and influencing the investigation. The documentary prompts viewers to reflect on the responsibility of media outlets when reporting on heinous crimes, as sensationalized coverage can perpetuate fear and contribute to the glorification of criminals.

In conclusion, 'Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer' succeeds in delivering a gripping and suspenseful narrative that captures the intensity of the investigation. However, viewers should approach the documentary with a critical eye, considering the ethical implications of true crime storytelling and its potential impact on the people directly affected by such tragedies. As we consume such content, we must be mindful of the delicate balance between seeking justice and respecting the dignity of victims.

Shot List

Production Schedule

28/11 - Alan & Jack Interview (at College)

30/12 - Commentary Filming (at My House)

Pre-Production Paperwork

Risk Assessment

PRODUCTION DIARY

08/11/23 - Today I did a lot of research on my topic, as well as working towards securing interviewees. I have already organised Jack Harrison, but I've reached out to a few other people who have not yet gotten back to me.

22/11/23 - Today I finally secured and organised Alan Tarkil for an interview, and no one else has gotten back to me, so I believe I will just be doing Alan and Jack. The interviews are both scheduled for the 28th, next week

28/11/23 - Today I filmed my interview with Alan and Jack. Setting up did not go smoothly, and while I had a little bit of help here and there, I was forced to do the camera and lighting mostly on my own, which resulted in inconsistent framing and lighting that I'm not happy with, but I can't change that now. However, once Alan and I finally sat down and began the interview, everything began flowing smoothly. It took 1-2 hours roughly.

30/12/23 - Today I filmed my commentary segment, where I begin by talking about my own personal history with the topic, before showing the interviews, and commenting on my final thoughts about the interviews. I filmed it with my phone and propped it up in front of a large window during the day to make sure I was well lit.

31/12/23 - Today I began post-production on my documentary, which included mostly editing, but also designing a potential poster. The end result was around an hour long, but a 15 minute version has been made for examination purposes.

THE DOCUMENTARY

12 Minute Version (for marking purposes)

Full 1 Hour Version

EVALUATION

What Went Wrong

•  Most of the potential participants did not get back to me, therefore I was only able to interview two people
•  The interview shots were quite bad
•  The audio for the interviews was also bad
•  The final cut was longer than I expected 

What Went Well

•  It was so fun to talk with the interviewees
•  I think my final point was portrayed well
•  I think as long as it is, it will be enjoyable and informative for people

What Have I Learned

•  I'm no good at setting up cameras, lighting, or microphones
•  Not to contact certain actors again
•  Not to underestimate how long the final product might be

What I Should Improve On

•  Improving my ability to set up cameras, lighting, and microphones
•  My communication with actors via Teams

 Overall, I'm really thankful for the opportunity that this experience has given me to not only tell my story, but get others to tell theirs. I know both interviewees in real life, but I've never had the opportunity to have this kind of conversation with either of them, and I feel as though it's helped me understand them more than I ever did. I just wish I had more interviewees, but at the same time, that probably would have made the documentary longer than it already is, so maybe not.